Houda Al Balushi

Dedicated academic professional with a PhD in Journalism and Political Communication from the University of Liverpool and over seven years of teaching experience in Media and Communication Studies. Currently serving as a lecturer at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS), Oman, specialising in journalism and political communication in digital spaces. Interested in bridging theoretical frameworks with practical applications, focusing on emerging media dynamics in the digital era.

Ongoing Research

• Characteristics of Arabic-Speaking Online Discussions on Twitter: Deliberation and Nascent Forms of Political Communication.
• Examining Divergences between Al Jazeera Arabic's Stated Vision and Journalistic Practices through Online Public Engagement.

Research Grants

• Internal Research Grant (IRG) (2025): "UTAS Students' Perspectives on the Ethical Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Education."
• Internal Research Grant (IRG) (2025): "Beyond Khanjar and Fort: Exploring Omani Student Identities in Creative Industries Modules."

Doctoral Thesis: Exploring Public Engagement in Al Jazeera Arabic's Twitter Comment Sections: News Race Programme. (2024)

Master's Thesis: An Analysis of Public Opinion Presented on News Networks' Facebook Pages: Kony 2012 Campaign. (2013)

· Book Review: Arab Media Systems by Carola Richter and Claudia Kozman (Eds.), European Journal of Communication (2023).

· Research Paper: "Misconception Regarding the Communication Major in CAS," presented at the Symposium on Integration of Higher Education Institutions and Industry to Encourage Innovation, Nizwa College of Applied Sciences (24–25 March 2014).

• Analytic Memo Strategies and Reflection – Lumivero (2022)
• Situational Analysis Extending Grounded Theory – Lumivero (2022)
• Thematic Analysis Workshop – Lumivero (2021)
• SPSS Statistics Training – University of Liverpool, UK (2021)
• Critical Thinking and Research Logic – University of Liverpool, UK (2020)
• Research Data Management and Reproducibility – University of Liverpool, UK (2020)
• Managing the Editing Process – LDC, University of Liverpool, UK (2019)
• Copyright and Intellectual Property in Research – University of Liverpool, UK (2019)

• Delivered "Global Audiences – Key Trends and Theories" lecture for the COMM748 course (2023) – Master's-level media students, University of Liverpool, UK.
• Delivered a lecture on "The Future of Journalism" for Year 12 students (2022) – Liverpool Scholars Programme, University of Liverpool, UK.
• Presented cultural talks on Oman (2009) – State University of New York.
• Participated in community service in Albany, New York (2009): Assisted in care homes for the elderly, literacy fundraising, and campus cultural events.

• SoTA International Collaborations Workshop – School of the Arts, University of Liverpool, UK (2024)
• Better Decisions with AI – Lumivero (2024): Explored the role of AI tools in improving research decision-making.
• UNESCO World Press Freedom Day Academic Conference – Online (2023)
• "The Role of Academia in Protecting Freedom of Expression as a Driver for Other Human Rights" Conference – Online (2023)
• Employ Productive Research Approaches Webinar – Lumivero (2023)
• Planning and Managing a Book Project Webinar – Lumivero (2023): Addressed strategies for book project organisation and managing publisher feedback.
• News for the Rich, White, and Blue Seminar – Centre for Digital Politics, University of Liverpool, UK (2022)
• Digital Data Conference – D2C (2022)
• AoIR Life Conference (2020): Examined digital technology's role in contemporary society.
• Trust in Journalism Conference – UK (2020): Focused on ethics in journalism and media practices.
• Artificial Intelligence Workshop – Ministry of Higher Education, Oman (2019)
• Belt and Road Initiative Workshop – China Development Bank, Beijing (2018)
• Women Empowerment Forum – INTLPASS, Muscat, Oman (2014): Focused on advancing women's roles in leadership, education, and community development.
• Professional Development in Education – Ministry of Higher Education, Oman (2013)
• Re-entry Workshop – Department of State & Georgetown University, USA (2009)